The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-03-05
THE FORUM CONFESSIONAL,
Confessions of a Universalist."

polity Of the leading denominations of
the country which has formed an inter-
estiDg feature of this new and vigorous
monthly since it's beginning. In these
articles each writer is supposed to
speak with entire freedom of the spec
ial weaknesses and possible tendencies
of his own denomination, as they are
recognized on the inside, and to lay
are, with unsparing pen, its most vul-
nerable and characteristic defects, while
at the same time outlining the condi-
tons of its higher progress ard growth.
The impression seems TO prevail that
the truth is not always told of the
churches; that much that is necessary
to form correct estimate of the sew
eral denominations is concealed from
the public; that UNCONVENTIONAL loyalty
interteres to prevent substantial and
necessary criticism. Hence the Forum
confessional, organized for the publ
cation of an inside view of the churches,
welcoming from representatives of the
several denominations, frank express
sion Of opinion as to the inner workings
of the several organizations, and such
criticism of their doctrines and p0lity
as may seem necessary for the good of
the order" All this is presented anony-
mously to encourage freedom in the
presentation of obnoxious opinions,
and to secure the most candid and
searching expression Of Individual opin-
ion on the points suggested, unbiased
by any fear of consequences, and relieved
from the responsibility which necessa-
rily attaches to personal articles.
These Confessions" as they have
appeared from time to time, have not
proved remarkably imporI ant. Not
withstanding the opportunity presented
in the series of articles for ''telling
tales out of school," we know very
little more about the inner workings of
UNCONVENTIONAL life, and the relation
that the various churches sustain to
their membership, than we did before
their appearance. The Confessions"
have confessed" very little that we
had not before in some other shape,
and have not, therefore, materially in
creased our knowledge of the inner life
of the churches. 1t is well-known
fact that in ali the churches, there is
more or less of dissatisfaction existing
with the ancient doctrines of the faith,
and demand for more rational inter-
probation of Christianity. 1t is also
well known that the denominations are
not unanimous touching minor points
in their organization that even in the
best organized, there is a well-defined
tendency toward a pure Congregation
alism, and that individuals are FESTIVE
under the yoke both of creed and church
polity. 1t is also true that the exist
ing church organizations fail to realize
many of the hopes of their founders,
and that the Methodist, Baptist, Epis-
copal, Unitarian or Uniyersalist church
es, do not always in actual experiment
realize the ideal condition of their men,
bers. Whatever criticism has been
breathed into the public ear through
the Forum confessional, touching any
of these points, has not the merit of
novelty. 1t has been substantially
made known again and again in the
church journals and the secular press.
AS matter of fact there is no need of
any confessional for the secret thought
of the people in regard to the churches.
What is thought in church circles is
generally published on the house tops,
and said in manner that all may hear,
if they are so disposed.
The article, Confessions Of Univers-
alist," falls under the same general
style as the former articles in this series.
1t is written by one who describes him
self Universalist 'from the egg," the
son of a Universalist, whose earliest
recollections are of a home whence
morning and evening the voice of
prayer and thanksgiving assembled to
"God as the Father of all men," The
writer has had "the happiness to serve
''the Universalist church as its minis
''ter for quarter Of century," He
has ''seen Universalism make larger
progress than even (his) early enthusi-
''asm anticipated, and has, moreover,
found its convictions deepening with
"years, study and toll" Hence, with
"nO ranking disappOintments to bias
Testimony or to give his words ashrew-
''ish edge" he addresses himself to
the Forum confessional to speak his in
most thought concerning 1.-THE weak
nesses and defects of Universalism.
Let us lay our ear close to the confes-
sional and find out just what he has to
say. Very unexpectedly we are met
in the beginning with this paragraph,
which almost apologies, and on excel
lent grounds, for the criticism which
follows:
Yet must not forget that 1 am criti-
cising unfinished work. For although
Universalism is older in Christianity than
the doctrine OF the Trinity or of the Atone
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